Adventures in Improv

A riveting conversation with UCB founding member–Matt Besser. Matt is one of the world's best improvisers but also an actor, voice actor, stand-up comedian, writer, producer, teacher, coach, story teller and podcast host. If you're not familiar with Matt's improv, sketch or one-man shows; you might recognize him from his TV appearances. He's been on The New Girl, Modern Family, Parks & Rec, How I Met Your Mother, Drunk History & Frasier to name a few. Films include Bad Teacher, Year One, Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story. He's done a ton of podcasts and, coinciding with this release, his podcast improv4humans will have completed its 500th episode. In this interview he will discuss his start in improv, beginning with the first ever iO show he went to in Chicago. He talks about his training with Del Close and the origin of several improv formats, including the Movie, the "Spineless Harold" and the Horror. He also talks about the importance of playing real (top of your intelligence) and how improv has changed his life. Visit MattBesser.com See Matt Besser's IMDb Listen to the audio series Estates of Perfection Order the improv4humans4music Vol 1 Exclusive LP

Never a dull moment in this interview with world-class improviser Kaisa Kokko-Palmer. Kaisa Kokko is an improviser, director, teacher and communication skills instructor from Finland. Kaisa has studied improvisation (iO Chicago, under Keith Johnstone at Loose Moose, Unexpected Productions Seattle), music, special education, communication skills, various forms of dancing and musical instruments and has Masters in Education. Kaisa has taught impro and applied impro to various groups and levels in several countries which include Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Poland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Costa Rica, Peru, Canada, Australia, The United States and even more. Topics covered are Kaisa's start in improvisational theatre in Finland. We discuss her philosophy around teaching was well as her philosophies around impro with themes that include silence, intimacy and failure. She talks about the role of language in her performance and how she's adjusted to performing in her second language.  Finally she discusses the experience touring around the world teaching and performing in a period that spans 8 years. Visit Kaisa on Instagram Learn more about Impro Helsinki

A start-to-finish, thrilling interview with the mega talent, improviser/actor/writer Jordan Black. Jordan is an alum of The Groundlings, the Los Angeles-based improvisational and sketch comedy troupe and theater where he founded the long running improv show The Black Version. Writing credits include SNL, The Last OG, Last Man Standing and Punky Brewster. As an actor he has appeared in such shows as The Mindy Project, 2 Broke Girls and Key and Peele among several others including a recurring role on Community as Dean Spreck. As a voice actor he’s worked on many shows including South Park and American Dad. In the interview, Jordan talks about his advance through The Groundlings, sharing some insight into style of the theatre. He shares stories about working with some very Hollywood names including a section on how improv is used in acting, when he's worked with Larry David and Christopher Guest. He talks about his experience writing for SNL and performing in The Crazy Uncle Joe Show. The interview culminates with his recount over the formation of The Black Version and his experiences touring overseas. Check out Jordan's IMDb Follow Jordan on Instagram and Twitter

In this episode, Jeff connects with the very funny and talented, New Zealand-based improviser Derek Flores.   Derek has been an active entertainer for over 30 years, cutting his improv teeth at the Loose Moose Theatre under Keith Johnstone. Derek is known for his versatility as an entertainer–being a practitioner of improv, sketch, acting, emceeing, clown, stand up, street performance and cabaret acts.   Derek has toured the world either as himself or as one of two iconic characters–El Jaguar and The Unicorn.   Conversation topics include his early days as a comedian, an update on the current state in New Zealand, his involvement in creating the New Zealand Improv Festival and the future of improv.   Check out Derek and his wife Michi's Production Company/Training Center, Meegwai Productions   Watch the acclaimed Canadian film Waydowntown (featuring Derek Flores)

An incredible chat with the legendary Susan Messing. Susan, a leader in improv, has been at the forefront of it all since the mid 80s. Originally a graduate of the theatre program at Northwestern University, she went on to pursue improv in 1986. She's been doing it ever since, creating curriculums, teaching and performing for the iO, The Annoyance, The Second City, DePaul University, The University of Chicago, and around the globe. She's widely known for her critically acclaimed show Messing With A Friend and also performs regularly with Rachael Mason (friend of the podcast) in The Boys. In this roller coaster of an episode, she will talk about many things including the scene in Chicago 1986, the humility of being a lifelong learner and the current state of improv with predictions for the future. More on Susan in her Wikipedia page Check out The Boys on Facebook